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Panthers' Cam Newton will undergo ankle surgery; out for four months

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will undergo ankle surgery and his timetable for return will be four months — just prior to the start of training camp.

Newton will have the procedure done on Wednesday by Dr. Robert Anderson, a noted foot specialist .According to the Charlotte Observer, Newton's ankle ligaments stretched out and the procedure is meant to tighten them.

“The ankle was sore after the San Francisco game and we wanted to see if rest would calm it down, but it is still bothering him and the decision was made to address it,” Panthers head trainer Ryan Vermillion said.

Newton experienced pain in the ankle this offseason. He injured it initially against the 49ers in the regular season and aggravated it against the New Orleans Saints in Week 16, but Newton dismissed the injury at the time.

It hasn't been the best week for Newton, who watched his top four wide receivers depart to other teams. Franchise receiving leader Steve Smith was cut, and he later signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The wide receivers currently on the market have a combined five NFL receptions, and the free-agent market has dried up considerably in the past week.